ravi
My background is primarily in Mathematics, Logic and Computer Science.Conceptual clarity and precision is literally the only method in use in least one (logic) and a half (mathematics) of these fields. At least in these fields, one of the starting point is to nail down the primitive terms.
^^^^^
CB: In terms of primitive terms, in defining "class" , lets take the class of all classes that don't contain themselves. If it does contain itself , it doesn't. If it doesn't contain itself, then it does contain itself.
So, even mathematical logicians might get a sense that defining classes ( or any definition) can lead to paradoxical contradictions, and thereby should be able to sympathize with sociologists finding contradictions in defining classes.
:>)
Sociologists and mathematicians have defined "class" in a number of ways; the thing is to expropriate the expropriating classes.